IT’S weeks like this that Tano Goya should be grateful he’s not a footballer.

Not just because his working day involved strolling around a sunkissed golf course in perfect conditions yesterday.

But more because he didn’t have to endure team-mates plastering nude pictures of his girlfriend all over the locker-room walls when he came in to put on his spikes.

Goya is dating Carly Booth, you see. The 21-year-old glamour girl of Scottish golf, who has just posed naked for the world-renowned ESPN magazine.

The stunt, which also featured the legendary Gary Player posing in the buff at the age of 77, has created quite a stir since they landed on coffee tables across the world this week.

Carly’s pictures – which were, of course, examined purely in the interests of diligent journalistic research – show her absolutely starkers on a driving range hitting balls. Insert your own punchline here.

Another one has her perched on a seat displaying her tattoo of a Shakespearian quote: “It is not the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves.”

All very artistic and tastefully done. But her Argentinian boyfriend should breathe a sigh of relief that he moves in the circles of mature, polite golfers rather than the laddish culture a couple of miles down he coast at Fort George where Inverness train.

The reaction, Goya insists, has been mostly positive and he’s happy the world can see what a lucky boy he is. And, in fairness, he’s every right to be smiling.

Goya, whose opening-round 68 places him nicely on four-under par, said: “I’m very pleased for Carly. She was a little bit nervous to do it and she asked me if I was OK about it.

“I told her to go for it because it’s a very prestigious sports magazine. It’s not like some men’s magazines, it’s more artistic and very well respected.

“They feature a lot of the best athletes in the world from every sport. She’s fit and definitely has the body to be featured in a magazine like that, so I’m very happy for her to be there. And I like the pictures very much!

Carly Booth in the ESPN shoot (Image: Daily Record)

“Carly is pleased and as soon as I knew she was happy and comfortable with it, then it was perfect for me too. I showed the magazine to my friends and most of them haven’t said much.

“Some people might not like them, they might not agree that it’s good to see a golfer naked swinging at the ball. I’ve had some comments from people on Facebook but I’m really pleased. It’s something different, it’s a form of art.

“The guys on Tour are very respectful too. If they think something about it they have kept it to themselves but I don’t care whatever people say.

“She was in good company too with a legend like Gary Player doing it as well. It was unbelievable that he did it, he was very brave to do it at 77 years old but he’s an inspiration for people because he still so fit.”

The only thing naked about the rest of Goya’s week is his ambition.

After joining in the birdie hunt on a thrilling day one of the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open, he’s satisfied to be sitting nicely poised within four shots of early leader John Parry.

Aside from offering a great opportunity to really kickstart his second full season on the European Tour, he insists this week is also perfect preparation for his Major debut at Muirfield.

A good performance at the European International Qualifying event at Sunningdale last month earned him his dream ticket to The Open and he is relishing spending this week immersing himself in the low bump-and-run shots he’ll need at Muirfield.

He’s also loving the Scottish crowds, who he reckons have been great to him – and not just because he has a Scottish girlfriend. He added: “I don’t know if it’s about my link with Carly or not but I do find the Scottish people really warm. They know the game and they love it.

“Even when it’s cold and rainy they are still there supporting and cheering me on. I love the people in Scotland and I’m glad to be here this week.

“I’m really happy with the opening round and it’s very important to be here to get used to the bounce, the hard surface on the fairways and greens. It gets your short game ready for The Open.

“I’m excited about The Open. I’ve never played Muirfield before but everyone I have spoken to has told me it’s unbelievable, one of the greatest golf courses in the world.

“I have been watching a video about it and they were saying it’s one of the fairest links courses. What you see is what you get.

“But a couple of the holes look very narrow and with the rough up so much it’s going to be really important to have the ball in the fairway.

“Maybe leave the driver in the bag and use something shorter to make sure you’re in the fairway.”